Events - 10 years to Masters athletes A great day for all the family Canteen at reasonable prices - burgers, pies, sausage rolls, hotdogs, ham and salad and salad only rolls, drinks (cans and sports), tea, coffee, etc

HIS memory is fading, his speech is slowing and he feels the cold more these days.

But 92-year-old Ipswich athletics pioneer Bill Paterson still looks fit enough to jog around the oval named after him. As he sits inside the athletics clubhouse to escape the chill, Bill is content. When the talk moves to athletics, he gestures excitedly with his hands and regularly chuckles. His brain is racing faster than when he used to set Queensland records over 440 and 880 yards. While his stories are fragmented, Bill grins at every question, nodding his approval at how many elite athletes Ipswich has produced.

It’s been years since he last coached. But his passion for athletics remains sharp.

The respected former coach – once dubbed “Mr Athletics" – grew up at Raceview in the days when homes had no power and ice was delivered.

Ipswich-born Bill has been at the Gold Coast for 28 years, after a 64 year stint in the city.

He recalls starting athletics aged 14.

“I got knocked about in soccer," the former Raceview Royals and Blackstone Rovers centre forward said. “I had to give it (soccer) away because of my running."

In 1937, Bill won the Australian quarter-mile title at Hobart. He represented Queensland again in 1938. But it was in coaching where he left his legacy. He mentored up to 30 people at a time, in Brisbane and later at Limestone Park.

Among those was long-serving Ipswich athletics official and coach Vic Pascoe. It was Pascoe – another athletics fanatic – who invited Bill home. In May, Pascoe had joined Bill for his 92nd birthday at the Gold Coast.

“For four hours there, we never talked about anything else but athletics," Pascoe said. “It was fantastic." Back in Ipswich, the pair continue another marathon chat. Surrounded by athletics memorabilia, Pascoe waits on Bill’s every word, anxious to learn more. They communicate like long-lost friends.

Being a 400m Queensland and NSW champion in 1973, Pascoe relates well to the master coach. Reliving the past is fascinating, with clippings on the table joining missing links.

One old article – still in good nick like Bill – shows the day in 1979 that the oval at Limestone Park was named after him. At the time, Alderman Kev Dwyer and Ipswich City Council wanted to recognise Bill’s voluntary efforts. The former miner and Railways workshops employee struggles to recall that day. But he again nods his approval with the grin of a gold medallist.

He looks at his scrapbooks – kept in an old suitcase. They contain a treasure trove of fine Ipswich athletics history. Bill used to run for the now-defunct Ipswich Harriers before switching to the Christian Brothers Club in Brisbane. But he never strayed far from Ipswich. Seeing Bill brave the cold outside and stand next to the sign carrying his name was a memorable way to end the chat. He could probably still coach if he had to. But living legends like Bill Paterson deserve quieter days.

This time last year, she set a personal best in the discus, providing a launching pad for the season.

This year, the 15-year-old Ipswich and District Athletic Club regular is feeling even more relaxed.

She recently won the 16-17 years and 18-19 years discus finals at the Down Under meeting on the Gold Coast – after working hard on her strength and technique for four months in the off-season.

“I feel stronger now. I feel more power in my throws,” Hamer said, preparing to compete in the under-18 and open discus events on Sunday.

“It’s just getting the technique right and it will come together and be really good.”

At last year’s carnival, she threw 39m in the under-18 discus before also winning the open event. She went on to better that with a 40.13m throw at the state titles later in the season.

Having qualified for the under-18 national titles in March, the Lowood State High School student is excited about the months ahead.

She’s hoping her recent modified weight sessions, push-ups and squats with coach Mick Moore have her in even better shape.

“Next year (at nationals), I want to medal there and hopefully come first again,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ipswich and District Athletic Club newcomer John Hardy is keen to test his recent training in Sunday’s 110m Ipswich Lightning Gift series.

“I’m just going in the Gift. I’ll put all my focus on that,” he said, having trained two nights a week with coach Vic Pascoe.

“I was always a little bit quick playing touch football and stuff.

“Some people mentioned I should get into sprinting so I thought I’d take it up.”

The RAAF Amberley air traffic controller joined the club four months ago.

While new to handicap racing, he’s excited about Sunday’s event.

“I’m still fairly new to it. I’ve got some nerves around it,” he said.

However, the well-travelled 24-year-old welcomes the challenge having made state and national titles in long jump and relay during Year 12 in Newcastle.

“I thought, while I’m young, I might achieve something and it’s possibly a talent so I started working towards it,” he said.

“I will probably continue to do it for the next five or 10 years and try to get to a peak.”

TOP MEET

What: Ipswich Athletics 29th Winter Carnival

When: Sunday

Where: Bill Paterson Oval

Schedule: Track and field events from 11am.

Major events: Three 100m Ladies Gift heats start at11.30am, final at 3.30pm. Six 110m Ipswich Lightning Gift heats start at noon, final at 3.50pm. 70m Masters Ladies Purse final at 12.30pm. 300m Masters Gift final at 4.45pm.